Peach tree named &#39;NJ358&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct peach variety of  Prunus persica  named ‘NJ358’ is provided. This variety is distinguished from other peach varieties by its unique combination of showy flowers, large, round, freestone fruit, with an attractive red blush, over a bright yellow-orange ground color, ripening in late season, and possessing aromatic, sweet, moderately acidic flavor.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

NONE

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

NONE

Latin name of genus and species of the plant claimed Prunus persica L.

Variety denomination NJ358.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peach tree named ‘NJ358’. Our new tree resulted from crossing ‘Flameprince’ (non-patented) as the seed parent with our proprietary peach seedling selection ‘G47-99-84258’ (non-patented) as the pollen parent. The new variety differs from seed parent ‘Flameprince’ in that the new variety produces larger fruit and that have better flavor and aromatics. The new variety differs from pollen parent ‘G47-99-84258’ in that the new variety has more tolerance to bacterial leaf spot and produces larger fruit that have a more uniform round shape. The resulting tree was selected when growing in a cultivated area as the 197^(th) tree in the 64^(th) row of Block K at a fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘NJ358’ variety is distinguished from other peach varieties due to the following unique combination of characteristics:

-   -   Produces large, nearly round, freestone fruit with a low         tendency to split when adequately cropped.     -   Fruit have an attractive red blush over a bright yellow-orange         ground color.     -   Excellent production of fruit that ripen in late season on trees         with tolerance to bacterial leaf spot.     -   Fruit have superior eating quality due to their aromatic, sweet,         and moderately acidic flavor.

The variety was asexually reproduced at a fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. Asexual reproduction of this new variety by budding onto >Lovell=peach seedling rootstock (non-patented) shows that the foregoing characteristics are so reproduced.

The following detailed description concerns the original tree, ‘NJ358’. The original tree and asexual progeny have been observed growing in a cultivated area at a fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. Certain characteristics of this variety, such as growth and color, may change with changing environmental conditions (such as, light, temperature, moisture, nutrient availability) or other factors. Color descriptions and other terminology are used in accordance with their ordinary dictionary descriptions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Color designations are made with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart (1966 Ed.)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographic drawings, depicting the peach tree by the best possible color representation using color photography. Colors are approximate as color depends on horticultural practices, such as light level, fertilization rate, and other conditions and, therefore, the color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph taken on Aug. 22, 2014 of a characteristic twig of ‘NJ358’ in late spring bearing typical leaves of the foliage.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph taken on Sep. 2, 2014 of characteristic mature fruit and stones of ‘NJ358’. Whole fruit are presented in three positions and both a transverse and longitudinal cross section to illustrate that the pericarp does not adhere to the pit when the fruit is mature. The stones exemplify the obovate shape and pits and grooves on the surface of the stone.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph of a characteristic twig that illustrates the typical flower buds and large, showy flowers of ‘NJ358’ observed on a tree at a fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. on Apr. 21, 2015.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph of a dormant tree of ‘NJ358’, prior to pruning, in late winter that illustrates the spreading growth habit of a tree at the fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J. on Feb. 8, 2016.

FIG. 5 is a color photograph taken on Mar. 11, 2015 of immature bark of ‘NJ358’ that illustrates color and the moderate density of conspicuous elliptic lenticels on the immature bark.

FIG. 6 is a color photograph taken on Mar. 11, 2015 of mature bark of ‘NJ358’ that illustrates the greyed-green color, moderately rough texture, with several shallow furrows on the mature bark.

The colors of and illustration of this type may vary with lighting and other conditions under which conditions and, therefore, color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the ‘NJ358’ variety is based on observations of an asexually reproduced tree. The observed tree was six years of age and growing on ‘Lovell’ seedling rootstock (non-patented) at the fruit research farm in Cream Ridge, N.J.

-   Scientific name: Prunus persica L. -   Parentage:     -   -   Seed parent.—‘Flameprince’.         -   Pollen parent.—‘G47-99-84258’. -   Tree:     -   -   Vigor.—Vigorous.         -   Plant hardiness zone.—Growth of plants has only been             observed in zone 6b.         -   Dormant flower bud cold tolerance.—At least to −21°C.         -   Overall shape.—Spreading.         -   Height.—Average as compared to other peach cultivars. For             example, measurement of a typical grafted tree on ‘Lovell’             peach seedling rootstock (non-patented) at six years after             planting shows an average height of 3.0 meters when grown in             Cream Ridge, N.J.         -   Width.—Average as compared to other peach cultivars. For             example, measurement of a typical grafted tree on ‘Lovell’             peach seedling rootstock (non-patented) at six years after             planting shows an average width of 4.3 meters when grown in             Cream Ridge, N.J.         -   Caliper.—Six year old tree is 41 cm. in circumference             measured at 20 cm. from the ground. -   Trunk and branches:     -   -   Trunk bark texture.—Moderately rough with several shallow             furrows.         -   Trunk bark color.—Greyed-green (RHS 197C).         -   Primary branches.—Branches that are approximately 15 cm. in             circumference are greyed-orange (RHS 176B) overlaid with             grey (RHS 201B). Lenticels: Moderate density, approximately             0.9 per square cm; elliptical in shape and conspicuous;             typical examples of which averaged 4.4 mm. in length and             2.1 mm. in width; black (RHS 202B) in color becoming             greyed-orange (RHS 144B) towards the center. Branch             pubescence: None. New growth bark: Greyed-purple (between             RHS 183A and RHS 183B) in sun; yellow-green (RHS 152D) in             shade.         -   Internodes.—Length averaging 22.4 mm. on a one-year shoot. -   Leaves:     -   -   Texture.—Glabrous, both surfaces.         -   Sheen.—Young leaves semi-glossy with a flat finish on the             underside.         -   Length.—About 160 mm. to 190 mm., averaging about 178 mm.             including the petiole.         -   Width.—About 36 mm to 44 mm., averaging about 40 mm.         -   Petiole.—Averaging 13.6 mm. long and about 2.1 mm. in             diameter.         -   Margin.—Crenate.         -   Margin undulation.—Slight.         -   Form.—Lanceolate, and concave in cross section.         -   Apex.—Sharply acuminate, curved downward.         -   Base.—Acute.         -   Venation.—Pinnate.         -   Glands.—Number: About 2 to 4, averaging about 3.3. Position:             Mostly located on the petiole. Size: Length averaging             2.1 mm. and width averaging 1.1 mm. Form: Reniform.         -   Stipules.—None observed on mature leaves.         -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface: Yellow-green (RHS 146A).             Lower leaf surface: Yellow-green (between RHS 147A and RHS             147B). Vein: Yellow-green (between RHS 150B and RHS 150C).         -   Pubescence.—None. -   Flowers:     -   -   Size.—Large size, typical flower measuring between 37 mm.             and 44 mm, averaging about 39 mm. across.         -   Color.—Dormant bud: Grey (RHS 201C) becoming Grey (RHS 201A)             near the base. Pink stage bud: Red (RHS 55B). Open flower:             Freshly opened flowers are red (RHS 56C) becoming red             (between RHS 55B and RHS 55D).         -   Petals.—Typically five petals per flower; slightly cupped,             nearly round, margin entire, averaging about 19.9 mm. long             and 17.3 mm. wide.         -   Petal apex.—Obtuse, nearly rounded.         -   Petal base.—Cuneate.         -   Stamens.—Number: Variable, typical range 38 and 43,             averaging 40.0. Length: Variable, between 10.4 mm. to 13.8             mm, averaging 12.6 mm. Filament color: Greyed-green (between             RHS 193C and RHS 193D). Anther color: Orange-red (between             RHS 34B and RHS 34C).         -   Pistil.—Number: One. Size: Length between 18 and 22 mm,             averaging 20 mm. Pistil color: Yellow-green (RHS 145A).             Ovary: Moderate, long pubescence and ellipsoid in shape,             color yellow-green (RHS 145A).         -   Sepals.—Number: Five. Pubescence: Length short, low to             moderate density. Color: Greyed-purple (between RHS 183A and             RHS 183B). Shape: Triangular, with a rounded apex. Size:             Length averaging 5.5 mm., width averaging 4.8 mm.         -   Nectar cup color.—Greyed-orange (RHS 167B).         -   Pollen.—Abundant; yellow (RHS 11A) in color.         -   Fragrance.—Very slight.         -   Bloom season.—Onset of bloom in 2014 on April 14; full bloom             on April 21. -   Fruit:     -   -   Size.—Large, averaging about 7.7 cm. long, 8.1 cm. wide             parallel to the suture and 7.8 cm. wide perpendicular to the             suture.         -   Typical weight.—262 g.         -   Form.—Longitudinal section: Nearly round to slightly lipped.             Traverse section: Nearly round.         -   Suture.—Very shallow, extending from base to apex.         -   Ventral surface.—Nearly smooth at its base, becoming lipped             towards the apex.         -   Base.—Round.         -   Apex.—Flat; apex tip is a small point.         -   Stem.—Average length of 7 mm. and an average diameter of 4.5             mm.         -   Skin.—Thickness: Medium. Surface: Pubescent, generally light             and short. Tenacity: Medium. Astringency: None. Tendency to             crack: Low. Color: Blush is red (RHS 42B); mottle and             stripes are red-purple (RHS 59A); ground color is             yellow-orange (between RHS 15C and RHS 15D).         -   Fruit properties.—Flesh color: Yellow-orange (RHS 14C); red             (RHS 46D) adjacent to stone. Flesh adhesion: Freestone.             Juice: Moderate. Texture: Firm, but melting. Fibers: Not             noticeable. Ripens: Between August 24 and September 6 at             Cream Ridge, N.J. Flavor: Sweet, moderate acidity. Soluble             solids: 11.7%. Aroma: Moderate. Eating quality: Very good.         -   Keeping quality.—Medium. Has held its flavor and firmness             for at least 14 days in cold storage at 1°C. to 2° C.         -   Shipping quality.—Good. No bruising or scaring disorders             have been observed.         -   Usage.—Dessert.         -   Market.—Local and long distance.         -   Productivity.—Excellent. Trees have produced a full crop in             9 out of 10 years in Cream Ridge, N.J. -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Freestone.         -   Form.—Obovate.         -   Base.—Medium.         -   Apex.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Pits and grooves.         -   Ventral suture.—Medium.         -   Dorsal ridge.—Medium height, medium width, forming deep             lines.         -   External color.—Greyed-orange (RHS 177B).         -   Cavity surface color.—Greyed-orange (RHS 165D).         -   Average stone dry weight.—8.6 g.         -   Average stone wall thickness.—Varies between 5.5 mm. along             the dorsal ridge to 10.8 mm. at the base.         -   Size.—Averages about 41.9 mm. long, 28.3 mm. wide parallel             to the dorsal ridge, and 19.1 mm. wide perpendicular to the             dorsal ridge.         -   Tendency to split.—Typically low when well cropped.         -   Kernel.—Form: Elliptic to slightly obovate. Skin color:             Greyed-orange (RHS 162B). Vein color: Greyed-orange (RHS             162C). Viability: Yes. Size: Averages about 19.4 mm. long,             12.9 mm. wide, and 3.7 mm. in breadth. -   Plant/fruit disease and pest resistance/susceptibility: No atypical     resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural     practices. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially as herein shown and described. 